System and method for assembling components or products of a photofinishing order

ABSTRACT

A system and method of assembling photofinishing components, retail components and general components is designed to assemble the components into an order group. The order group can be, for example, a stack of the photofinishing components, retail components or general components. The system of the present invention is adapted to receive a customer order, provide an order identification with the order and control the dispensing of the components onto a conveying system. In the system of the present invention, the sequence for dispensing the components onto the conveying system is dictated by the layout of product dispensers along the conveying system and the control of the dispensers based on the customer order. With the system of the present invention it is possible to assemble, for example,  35  mm and APS finished film negatives, prints, digital media products and promotional literature into a single package that is suitable for return to a retailer for subsequent delivery or retrieval by a customer.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a system and method for assembling a photofinishing order that includes at least one component or product for subsequent distribution to a customer. The system of the present invention is designed to sequentially dispense a variety of intermixed photofinishing, retail and/or general components or products for subsequent distribution to the customer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Current photofinishing systems do not facilitate the automated packaging of batches or orders with intermixed photofinishing, retail and general components or products. More specifically, current photofinishing equipment and/or systems do not facilitate the automatic packaging of orders which may include for example, film cartridges, photo CDs, finished negatives, photographic prints, digital media products, promotional literature and order bags. With the increasing demand for multiple products, an increase in orders from different dealer accounts, and an increase in different digital orders and products, there remains a need to provide for a system that dispenses intermixed photofinishing, retail and general components or products in accordance with a customer order, and also an assembly system for packaging the order.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention is directed to a system and method for assembling a photofinishing customer order that has at least one photofinishing component or product such as photographic prints, film cartridges, and photo CD's; one retail component or product such as coupons and promotional literature; and one general component or product such as cardboard stiffeners and backing cards, for subsequent distribution to a customer. In the system and method of the present invention, it is possible to assemble customer orders which may include, for example, film cartridges, photo CDs, finished negatives, photographic prints, digital media products and promotional literature into a single package. In the system and method of the present invention, the assembled order could be placed in an enclosure such as a product envelope or bag and/or shrink wrapped with externally visible pricing and identification for return to the customer.

[0004] The present invention relates to a method of assembling a photofinishing customer order having at least one component for subsequent distribution to a customer. The method comprises the steps of: associating a customer order identification with the customer order; automatically dispensing at least one first type of component onto a first conveyor based on the customer order identification so as to form an order group which includes the at least one first type of component; conveying the order group from the first conveyor to a second conveyor; automatically dispensing at least one second type of component into the order group on the second conveyor to create an assembled product group, and shrink wrapping the assembled product group.

[0005] The present invention also relates to a method of assembling a photofinishing customer order, which comprises the step of: dispensing at least one of photofinishing products, retail products or general products, in accordance with a customer order identification, onto a conveyor at different points along a direction of travel of the conveyor. The products are dispensed one on top of the other to form a stack of the products on the conveyor.

[0006] The present invention also relates to a photofinishing assembling system which comprises: at least one first conveyor for conveying photofinishing components pertaining to a customer order, a first dispensing system for dispensing the photofinishing components onto the first conveyor in a manner in which an order group of the photofinishing components is formed on the first conveyor; a second conveyor adapted to receive the order group of photofinishing components from the first conveyor; and a second dispensing system for dispensing at least one of retail components or general components into the order group on the second conveyor to create an assembled product group which includes at least one of the photofinishing components, the retail components and the general components.

[0007] The present invention further relates to a photofinishing assembling system which comprises: a conveying system adapted to convey products pertaining to a photofinishing customer order, and a dispensing system adapted to dispense the products onto the conveying system at different points along a direction of travel of the conveying system. The products are dispensed one on top of the other to form an assembled stack of products on the conveying system.

[0008] The present invention further relates to a method of assembling products associated with a photofinishing customer order which comprises the steps of: placing product dispensers dedicated to a specific type of product along a conveying system, such that an order in which the products dispensers are placed establishes a sequence for dispensing the products onto the conveying system; and dispensing the products onto the conveying system in accordance with the customer order and in the sequence established by the placement of the product dispensers.

[0009] The present invention also relates to a computer program product, comprising a computer readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, which when loaded into the computer causes the computer to control an assembling of a photofinishing customer order having at least one component by performing the steps of: associating a customer order identification with the customer order; dispensing at least one first type of component onto a first conveyor based on the customer order identification so as to form an order group which includes the at least one first type of component; conveying the order group from the first conveyor to a second conveyor; and dispensing at least one second type of component into the order group on the second conveyor to create an assembled product group.

[0010] The present invention also relates to a computer program product, comprising a computer readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon which when loaded into the computer causes the computer to control the assembling of a photofinishing customer order by performing the steps of: associating a customer order identification with the customer order; and dispensing at least one of photofinishing products, retail products or general products onto a conveyor at different points along a direction of travel of the conveyor. The products are dispensed one on top of the other to form a stack of the products on the conveyor.

[0011] The present invention further relates to a computer program product, comprising a computer readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, which when loaded into the computer causes the computer to assemble a photofinishing customer order by performing the steps of: associating a customer order identification with the customer order; and automatically dispensing at least one of a photofinishing product, a retail product and a general product onto the conveying system in accordance with the customer order and a sequence defined by product dispensers which are laid out along the conveying system.

[0012] The present invention also relates to a photofinishing assembling system which comprises: at least one first conveyor for conveying first components pertaining to a customer order, a plurality of first dispensers for dispensing the first components onto the first conveyor in a manner in which an order group of the first components is formed on the first conveyor; a second conveyor adapted to receive the order group of photofinishing components from the first conveyor, and a plurality of second component dispensers for dispensing second components into the order group on the second conveyor to create an assembled product group which includes the first components and the second components.

[0013] The present invention further relates to a method of assembling a photofinishing customer order having at least one photofinishing component, one retail component and one general component for subsequent distribution to a customer. The method comprises the steps of: associating a customer order identification with the customer order; dispensing the at least one photofinishing component onto the first conveyor based on the customer order identification so as to form an order group which includes the at least one photofinishing component; conveying the order group from the first conveyor to a second conveyor, dispensing at least one retail component or general component into the order group on the second conveyor to create an assembled product group; and inserting the assembled product group into an enclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014]FIG. 1A schematically illustrates an assembling and packaging system in accordance with the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 1B schematically illustrates an example of a dispenser configuration or arrangement;

[0016]FIG. 2 illustrates the assembling and packaging system of the present invention in further detail;

[0017]FIG. 2A shows an example of a shrink wrapped order;

[0018]FIG. 3A illustrates an example of a conveying system and a product dispensing system in accordance with a feature of the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 3B illustrates an example of a dispenser which can be used in the system of the present invention;

[0020]FIG. 3C shows the dispenser of FIG. 3B as well as a conveyor;

[0021] FIGS. 4A-4B represent a flow chart illustrating an example of an order process flow in accordance with a feature of the present invention;

[0022]FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a main line conveyor process flow in accordance with a feature of the present invention;

[0023]FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a retail component process flow in accordance with the present invention;

[0024]FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a enclosing and/or shrink wrapping process flow in accordance with a feature of the present invention; and

[0025]FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a transfer from a main conveyor to a heat tunnel or shrink wrap machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] The system and method of the present invention enables the assembling of a photofinishing customer order that includes at least one photofinishing component or product, and optionally a retail component or product and a general component or product. Therefore, with the system and method of the present invention, it is possible to assemble both 35 mm and APS finished film negatives, photographic prints, digital media products promotional literature, and a backing card into a single package suitable for return to a retailer with external or internal pricing and identification.

[0027] Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1A illustrates an assembling system 5 that essentially includes a series of sub or first conveyors 17 a, 17 b, 17 c which preferably convey dispensed photofinishing components or products to a main or second conveyor 7. It is noted that conveyors 17 a, 17 b, 17 c can also be used to convey retail components or products and/or general components or products to conveyor 7. As an example, associated with conveyor 17 a is a dispensing system 19 which includes a series of product or component dispensers that dispense photofinishing products or components onto first conveyor 17 a for subsequent conveyance to conveyor 7. Associated with conveyor 17 b is a dispensing system 21 that includes a series of product or component dispensers which dispense photofinishing products or components onto conveyor 17 b for subsequent conveyance to conveyor 7. Associated with conveyor 17 c is a dispensing system 22 that includes a series of product or component dispensers which dispense photofinishing products or components onto first conveyor 17 c for subsequent conveyance to second conveyor 7.

[0028] Although a conveying system having 3 conveyors 17 a, 17 b, 17 c is shown in FIG. 1A, it is recognized that the present invention is not limited thereto. It is noted that the number of conveyors 17 a- 17 c, as well as the number of dispensers for each of the conveyors 17 a-17 c as shown can be varied based on design considerations, the size of the photofinishing operation, as well as the type of products or components being dispensed. It is also noted that the system of the present invention can be designed as a modular unit in which the number of dispensers associated with a specific conveyor 17 a-17 c can be varied based on the products or components, as well as the volume of production.

[0029] Therefore, system 5 includes dispensing systems 19, 21, 22 that dispense a first type of product or component, preferably photofinishing components, onto the appropriate conveyor 17 a-17 c. System 5 further includes a dispensing system 27 that includes a series of product or component dispensers that dispense a second type of component, preferably retail or general products or components onto conveyor 7. Of course, dispensing systems 19, 21, 22 are not limited to dispensing photofinishing components, and dispensing system 27 is not limited to dispensing retail or general components or products.

[0030] Within the context of the present invention, although not limited thereto, photofinishing components or products that are dispensed by dispensing systems 19, 21, 22 can be components or products such as 35 mm and APS (Advanced Photo System) finished film, negatives, photographic prints and digital media products such as CD's and disks. Retail or general products or components that are dispensed by dispensing system 27 can be items such as promotional inserts, upload cards, backing cards, coupons, etc. Of course, as noted above, the present invention is not limited to dispensing photofinishing components or products along conveyors 17 a- 17 c, and retail or general components or products along conveyor 7. It is recognized that any type of component or product can be dispensed onto any conveyor in accordance with the requirements of the processing lab.

[0031] With reference back to FIG. 1A, in one example of operation of the system of the present invention, a central processing unit, computer or system (CPU) 9 monitors the assembling and packing process based on a customer order and a customer order identification which is associated with the customer order. CPU 9 is operationally associated with customer order processors or controllers 11 a-11 c which are each respectively integrated or associated with dispensing systems 19, 21 and 22. Controllers 11 a-11 c control the dispensing of photofinishing products or components onto a respective conveyor 17 a, 17 b and 17 c. Therefore, controllers 11 a-11 c respectively associated with dispensing systems 19, 21, 22 control a dispensing of components or products by way of the dispensers which make up part of the dispensing systems (for example, dispensers 501-506 of dispensing system 19, FIG. 1B). More specifically, controllers 11 a-11 c dictate which dispenser will be enabled or actuated to dispense a product or component in accordance with a customer order.

[0032]FIG. 1B schematically illustrates the type of dispensers that can make up part of dispensing systems 19, 21, 22 and 27. In FIG. 1B, dispensing system 19 and conveyor 17 a leading to conveyor 7 are used as examples. As shown in FIG. 1B, dispensing system 19 can include dispenser 501 which dispenses an order bag onto conveyor 17 a, and dispensers 502-507 which are respectively adapted to dispense cardboard stiffeners, an APS package, CD's, negatives, index prints and prints onto conveyor 17 a and are located downstream of dispenser 501.

[0033] In a manner which will be described in detail later, these products or components are conveyed as an order group to conveyor 7 where they will be conveyed past dispensing system 27 which includes a series of dispensers 508-519 positioned along conveyor 7. Dispensers 508-512 can be adapted to dispense promotional inserts into the order group; dispensers 513-516 can be adapted to dispense wallet inserts into the order group; and dispensers 517-519 can be adapted to dispense a backer card or cardboard stiffener on the order group. As a further option, you can have additional dispensers to dispense items such as upload cards. As shown, the dispensers along the first and second conveyors are positioned to dispense the components or products at different points along the direction of travel of the conveyors.

[0034] It is recognized that the number of dispensers used, the types of products or components dispensed, and the sequence by which the products or components are dispensed are based on design considerations and the requirements of the lab.

[0035] With reference back to FIG. 1A, system 5 further includes a main line controller 15 which communicates with CPU 9 and is integrated with or operationally associated with dispensing system 27. Main line controller 15 controls the dispensing of products or components by way of the dispensers which make up part of dispensing system 27 (for example, dispensers 508-519 of dispensing system 27, FIG. 1B). That is, main line controller 15 dictates which dispenser will be enabled or actuated in accordance with the customer order.

[0036] Therefore, within the context of the present invention, CPU 9 monitors the overall operation of system 5, while controllers 11 a-11 c and 15 control the dispensing of the components or products onto the appropriate conveyors. For example, CPU 9 can respond to operator inputs of a customer order, a customer order identification, or a batch number, and query supporting systems such as, for example, a PfDf (photofinishing data file), a pricing system and associated servers to assemble all of the information necessary to perform an order assembly or packing function in accordance with the present invention. CPU 9 would then provide the information to each controller 11 a-11 c and 15 as needed to carry out the assembling process.

[0037] Customer order controllers 11 a-11 c basically direct a manual operation or an automated operation of component or product dispensing systems 19, 21, 22 and their associated dispensers as necessary to (1) prepare each conveyor 17 a, 17 b, 17 c for operation, and (2) control the conveyance of the components or products to conveyor 7.

[0038] Main line controller 15 controls the automatic and/or manual dispensing of retail or general components or products via dispensing system 27 and the associated dispensers onto conveyor 7 to form an assembled product group. Main line controller 15 further controls the transportation of the assembled product group in a controlled manner to a bagger/heat/ take-away section or unit 30 (FIG. 1A) where the components can be, for example, inserted into an enclosure such as a bag, a box, or a container, and/or wrapped in shrink wrapping for distribution to a customer.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 1A, associated with section 30 is a take-away controller 30 a. Take away controller 30 a is adapted to provide an external or internal label on the enclosed product. Take-away controller 30 a is further adapted to control the sorting of the enclosed product for further handling or makeover, and provides a status signal to CPU 9.

[0040] As an alternative to or in addition to using CPU 9 to trigger dispensing control via controllers 11 a-11 c and 15, the system and process of the present invention can control dispensing through the use of scanners or readers on the dispensers, such as order bag dispenser 501 as an example. In this arrangement, the order bag would include information such as a dealer and envelope number (unique order identifier or customer identification). The order identifier is read by the scanner or reader, and this information is provided to controllers 11 a-11 c and 15. This unique order identifier is associated with a specific flight on the appropriate conveyor to enable the appropriate downstream dispenser and form the order group. More specifically, based on the information read by the scanner or reader, controllers 11 a-11 c and 15 receive this information and operate the appropriate dispenser.

[0041] System 5 will now be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3A. As illustrated in FIG. 2, system 5 includes first conveyors 17 a-17 b as illustrated in FIG. 1A, and rather than a third conveyor 17 c, can include additional first conveyors 17 d-17 i for receiving a further variety of dispensed photofinishing, retail or general components or products. It is noted that the number as well as the layout of the first conveyors is shown for descriptive purposes only, and any layout arrangement or type of dispensed products or components are possible so long as the first conveyors convey the products or components to second conveyor 7.

[0042] In the example of FIG. 2, first conveyors 17 a and 17 b are designed to deliver APS or 35 mm type photofinishing products or components to second conveyor 7. For this purpose, first conveyors 17 a and 17 b optionally include an APS package insertion station where an APS package is dispensed onto conveyor 17 a (see, for example, dispenser 503 in FIG. 1B). The APS package generally includes an index print and an APS cartridge with exposed film.

[0043] Using first conveyor 17 a shown in FIG. 3A as an example, and recognizing that the process is applicable to any first conveyor 17 a-17 i, in the process and system of the present invention, based on an instruction from controller 11 a, an order bag is first dispensed on first conveyor 17 a by way of order bag dispenser 501. Thereafter, an APS package is dispensed on top of the order bag already on conveyor 17 a by way of APS dispenser 503 to start an order group. Thereafter, the order group is transported via conveyor 17 a to additional dispensers such as, for example, CD dispenser 504 where a CD is dispensed on top of the order group which at this point includes the order bag and the APS package (if part of customer order). The order group is thereafter conveyed along conveyor 17 a to a print dispenser 507. Prior to being dispensed by print dispenser 501, a print take-up multi-loader 61 transports finished prints through, for example, a conveyor to a print cutter 63 which is designed to cut each print from a batched roll of prints. The cut prints are thereafter transported either manually or automatically to a print bander 65 which wraps a band around the prints to keep them from separating later in the process, and dispenses the banded prints by way of dispenser 507 onto the order group. Dispenser 507 can be a pusher mechanism which pushes the banded prints onto the order group. As a further example, multi-loader 61 can be eliminated and the invention can be practiced by an individual who loads prints onto print cutter 63 for subsequent conveyance to print bander 65. The process of the present invention can also proceed with the prints stacked but not banded, however, the use of a band is preferred since the band serves to keep the prints together and permits a more rapid conveyance. At this point, the order group includes the order bag having an APS package, a CD and banded prints stacked thereon.

[0044] The present invention is being described under the assumption that the customer order includes all of the products or components noted above. Of course, the present invention can include different combinations of the above-noted products, i.e., an order can just include banded prints and CDs, banded prints and a picture disk, only an upload card, etc.

[0045] After the banded prints are inserted into the order group and specifically on top of the uppermost component or product in the stack, conveyor 17 a conveys the order group past 35 mm index card dispenser 506 and a picture disk dispenser 506 a which dispense the appropriate component or product into the order group if required by the customer order. Thereafter, conveyor 17 a conveys the order group to a film negative dispenser 505 which can be adapted to dispense sleeved negatives into the order group.

[0046] Film negative dispenser 505 is adapted to scan a barcode label and cut negatives from a batched roll of negatives until it has a complete customer order. The customer order of negatives is then sleeved to keep the negatives from getting scratched and to keep them from separating later in the process.

[0047] Each of the dispensers noted above, as well as the dispensers along second conveyor 7 are configured to dispense a different type of product onto the associated conveyor. Additionally, the dispensers preferably include internal scanners to read barcodes. This helps confirm that the correct product or component has been dispensed for a particular customer order and helps control the assembly process.

[0048] The order or sequence of the dispensers shown represents a preferred example which takes into account the geometry and dimensions of the dispensed products to facilitate the formation of the order group and/or the stacking of the products or components. However, the present invention is not limited to the order or sequence shown, and it is recognized that the order or sequence of the dispensers can be modified based on the requirements of the lab and the type of products or components dispensed. It is noted that the order in which the dispensers are placed along the respective conveyors establishes a sequence for dispensing products onto the conveyors. It is further noted that the types of components or products dispensed onto first conveyors 17 a-17 i is based on design considerations and the requirements of the photofinishing lab or station, as well as customer requirements. Also, controllers 11 a-11 c control the actuation or enablement of the associated dispensers to assure the each order group includes the products or components ordered for that specific customer. This can be based on (1) the customer order identification which is identified in CPU 9 and includes information as to the specifics of the customer order, (2) information from the scanners or barcode readers on the dispensers which read the identification on the order bags, or (3) both (1) and (2).

[0049] Conveyor 17 a and the other conveyors 17 b-17 i, in combination with CPU 9 and controllers 11 a-11 c, as well as additional controllers dedicated to conveyors 17 d-17 i, are thus designed to sort and process all customer orders. For example, they can sort and process customer orders through APS package dispenser 503 where the APS package is fed onto an associated order bag (to start the order group) which has already been dispensed onto conveyor 17 a by order bag dispenser 501. Thereafter, any associated prints are cut, banded and added to the order group at print dispenser 507, and any digital components, i.e., CDs and/or floppy disks are added by way of CD dispenser 504 and/or picture disk dispenser 506 a.

[0050] In a preferred feature of the invention, each of the products or components of the order group are dispensed one on top of the other within a flight of the conveyor so as to form a stack of the products or components. This stack which forms the order group is thereafter delivered from any one of first conveyors 17 a-17 i onto second conveyor 7.

[0051]FIG. 3B illustrates a typical dispenser which can be used in the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3B, dispenser 700 is adapted to dispense floppy disks. Dispenser 700 includes upper and lower endless belt type arrangements 702 a, 702 b which are respectively wrapped around a first set of rollers 704, 705 and a second set of rollers 707, 709. As a component (i.e., a disk) is fed between the upper and lower belt-type arrangements, the disk is transported between the belts to a flight 715 of a conveyor as illustrated in FIG. 3C. As shown in FIG. 3C, a typical flight can include rods 715 which can define the flight. Other examples for defining a flight include using crates, boxes, sensors, etc. Dispenser 700 illustrated in FIGS. 3B-3C is shown for descriptive purposes. It is noted that the present invention is not limited to the dispenser shown and that any type of dispenser such as, for example, a friction feed-type dispenser, a gravity type dispenser, a push-type dispenser, a roll stock type dispenser or a vacuum type dispenser that can feed flat stock or multi-shape items can be used in the present invention.

[0052] Therefore, first conveyors 17 a-17 i are designed to transport the components or products of a customer order in the form of an order group and/or stack past all of the dispensers as previously described. As the order group passes a dispenser, an additional component or product (if part of the order) is inserted into the order group and/or dispensed on top of the uppermost component or product of the stack. As an example, each of first conveyors 17 a-17 i can be made up of individual flights or separated sections, which will ensure that the customer orders stay separated while on the conveyor.

[0053] Second conveyor 7 transports the order group and/or stack received from any of first conveyors 17 a-17 i past further component or product dispensers which will be described later. Second conveyor 7 like first conveyors 17 a-17 i can be made up of individual flights, which will ensure that customer orders stay separated while on conveyor 7. At the end of conveyor 7, the order will then be handed off to heating/bagging/take-away unit or section 30.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 2, after an order group and/or stack reaches second conveyor 7, it is transported along second conveyor 7 in direction 95. Thereafter, if the information entered in CPU 9 and provided to main line controller 15 includes instructions to dispense items such as promotional and wallet inserts, a backing card, an upload card, etc., the order group and/or stack can proceed to dispensing system 27 which includes, for example, dispensers 508-519 (FIG. 1B). At dispensing system 27 components or products such as, for example, an upload card can be dispensed by an upload card dispenser where an upload card printer will print out a web address and a customer name on a label. The label will be placed on a pre-printed card. This enables a customer to gain access and download their pictures from the internet. The label will then be fed to the upload card dispenser which can be one of the dispensers within dispensing system 27. As a further option, the upload card can be printed at this point. As a still further option, dispensing system 27 can include dispensers to dispense items such as promotional literature, wallet inserts, coupons, etc. After products or components such as wallet inserts, promotional literature and coupons etc. are dispensed onto the order group and/or stack, the order group which is now an assembled product group (all components or products pertinent to a customer order have been dispensed) is conveyed to a wrapper/bagger/take-away unit or section 30. Wrapper/bagger/take-away section 30 includes an enclosing unit which will place the assembled product group into an enclosure such as a bag, a box or a container, or wrap the assembled product group in a shrink film web and heat seal the web to enclose all of the components or products dispensed by the system. Based on instructions from controller 15, the enclosed or sealed package will then be sent to a conveyor 99 (FIG. 2) for routing to a label application section and/or a shipping or sorting location, a conveyor 97 for quality assurance or a conveyor 98 for a makeover.

[0055] An example of a shrink wrapped order including a variety of products is illustrated in FIG. 2A, which as an example, shows an order 800 with an order envelope 801, promotional inserts 802, banded prints 803, and a backing card 804 which adds rigidity to the package. In the example of FIG. 2A, a shrink wrap 805 can be provided around the order.

[0056] With respect to makeovers, the system of the present invention could include a minilab 900 (FIG. 2) which receives jobs that need to be redone. Minilab 900 could be a known minilab system which includes any combination of a printer, processor and scanner. Therefore, as an example, an order having scratched prints can be diverted to conveyor 98, fed to minilab 900 to correct the scratched prints and re-routed back to conveyor 7 via conveyor 902 to be finalized and prepared for shipping. As an option, these scratched prints or other defects, can be identified by an operator upstream in the process by way of a preview station.

[0057] As a still further option, minilab 900 could be placed adjacent to a dispenser, such as for example, print dispenser 507 shown in FIG. 3A. In this example, prior to prints being dispensed by print dispenser 507, an operator can identify scratched print(s) at a preview station and remove the scratched print(s) prior to being dispensed. At this point, the scratched print(s) can be diverted to a minilab for makeover and rejoined with the order on the conveyor by way of a further dispenser somewhere downstream of print dispenser 507.

[0058] FIGS. 4A-4B show a flow chart which schematically illustrate an example of a customer order process in accordance with the present invention. Referring specifically to FIG. 4A, at step 100, an operator enters information relating to a batch number, a customer order, a customer identification and/or flight information to initiate a production run. CPU 9 (FIG. 1) receives this information and provides the information to the appropriate controllers 11 a-11 c, 15 and 30 (steps 101 and 102). As an example, CPU 9 could be a computer program product that comprises a computer readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon. The program when loaded into CPU 9 will provide information to associated controllers 11 a-11 c, 15 and 30 which control an assembling of the components or products of the customer order in the manner already described, and can further control the process as will be described with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. 4A-4B and FIGS. 5-7. Based on instructions from CPU 9 and customer order controllers 11 a-11 c, a production run starts (step 103) and a barcode from an order bag is read (step 104). Thereafter, there is a check to see if the barcode from the order bag has been read (step 105). If the barcode of the order bag has not been read, then manual intervention may be required (step 106). If a reading of the barcode of the order bag has been made, there is a check to see if the read barcode is a proper or correct barcode for the order (step 107). If the barcode is not the proper or correct barcode, a manual intervention is required (step 108).

[0059] If the barcode has been read and it is the proper or correct barcode for the order, then the order bag dispenser (i.e., reference number 501 of FIG. 3A) will dispense the order bag (step 109). Thereafter, there is a check to see if it has been a good dispense (for example, no jam has occurred at the dispenser) (step 110). If it has not been a good dispense, a manual intervention will be required (step 111). If it is a good dispense of an order bag, there is a check to see if the order includes an APS package (which includes an APS cartridge with negatives and an index print) (step 112). If there is no APS package included in the order, the process will proceed to step 126 (FIG. 4B) which will be described later. If there is an APS package in the order, a reader on APS package dispenser 503 will read the barcode of the index print in the APS package (step 113). Thereafter, there is a check to see if the barcode on the index print has been read (step 114). If the barcode of the index print has not been read, manual intervention may be required (step 115). If the barcode of the index print has been read, there is a further check to see if it is the proper or correct barcode for the order (step 116). If the barcode is not the proper or correct barcode for the order, manual intervention is required (step 117). If the barcode has been read and it is the proper or correct barcode for the order, the APS package is dispensed into the order group (step 118). It is noted that within the context of the present intervention, the APS package as previously described is dispensed into an order group which in a preferred feature of the invention is dispensed on top of the order bag on the conveyor. Thereafter there is a check to see if it has been a good dispense (step 119). If there has not been a good dispense of the APS package, manual intervention is required (step 120). The system then proceeds to step 126 which as indicated above is a step which can be directly initiated after step 112 (FIG. 4A) if there is no APS package in the order, and the dispensing process is started for the next product or component.

[0060] The dispensing process for the next product or component follows substantially the same process noted above for the order bag and the APS package, except that a different product or component, for example, a photo CD, 35 mm prints, etc. is dispensed in accordance with the customer order (step 127). That is, for a subsequent product or component, the system will follow the process as noted above (steps 104-111 or 112-120 of FIG. 4A) in which a barcode on the product or component is read by the appropriate downstream dispenser, and there are checks to confirm that the barcode has been read, the barcode is correct for the customer order, and the product or component has been properly dispensed onto the order group on the conveyor as the order group passes the appropriate dispenser. After all the appropriate components which are to be dispensed, for example along first conveyor 17 a, have been dispensed, the order group and/or stack of products or components is handed off from conveyor 17 a to conveyor 7.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 5, a schematic diagram of the process flow along second conveyor 7 is shown. In step 200, CPU 9 and main line controller 15 which has already received the customer order identification for the order determines that there is to be a transfer from the first conveyor (i.e. conveyor 17 a) to second conveyor 7. In step 201, an order is given to transfer the order group or stack of products or components from the first conveyor to an empty flight on second conveyor 7. In step 202, an order identification and optionally a flight identification identifying the flight is provided to the promotional literature dispensers for dispensing promotional literature into the order group or stack of products or components (i.e. dispensing system 27 having dispensers 508-519). Thereafter, in step 203, an order identification and optionally a flight identification is supplied to a wallet dispenser for dispensing wallet inserts etc. into the order group or stack of products or components. In step 204, there is a check to see if an upload card is to be included with the order. If the answer to step 204 is no, the process proceeds to step 206. If the answer to step 204 is yes, a message is sent to an upload card printer as well as a dispenser for dispensing an upload card. As a further option, the entire upload card can be printed. In step 206, a message is sent to CPU 9 confirming that the dispensing of all the products or components associated with the customer order has been completed. At this point, an assembled product group has been formed. Thereafter, in step 207, the assembled product group or stack of products or components is handed off to a bagging/wrapping/pricing unit.

[0062] With reference to FIG. 6, an example of a process flow for dispensing products or components such as promotional literature into the order group and/or stack of components is shown. This basic process flow is utilized in the dispensing steps of FIG. 5, for example, for dispensing promotional literature, wallet inserts, etc. With reference to FIG. 6, in step 300 the order group or stack of products or components arrives at conveyor 7. Thereafter, a customer identification is provided to main line controller 15 (step 301). Main line controller 15 thereafter controls the dispensing of the products or components into the order group or onto the stack of products or components as the order group passes the appropriate dispenser (step 302). In step 303, there is a check to see if there has been a good dispense (i.e., no jam up of the product or component at the dispenser). If the answer to step 303 is no, manual intervention is required (step 304). If it has been a good dispense, then the system proceeds to step 305 where a message is sent to main line controller 15 as well as CPU 9 that the dispense has been completed (step 305).

[0063] Referring back to FIG. 5 and specifically step 207 relating to the hand off of the assembled product group or stack of products or components to the bagging/wrapping/pricing unit, an example of a bagging/wrapping/pricing process flow is illustrated in FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 7, an order identification pertaining to the customer order is received by CPU 9 and take-away controller 30 a (step 400). Based on the completed order, the assembled product group or stack of products or components is transferred to section 30 in a controlled manner as well be described (step 401). Thereafter, the stack of products or components or order group is enclosed or bagged (step 402), and a price is printed and affixed to the enclosed or bagged order (step 403). Optionally, the assembled product group or stack of products or components can be supplied to a heat tunnel where the assembled product group or stack of photofinishing components is shrinked wrapped.

[0064]FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a transfer process for transferring the assembled group or stack of products from conveyor 7 to section 30. As shown in FIG. 8, the group or order goes from conveyor 7 to a belted transfer conveyor 7 a to another flighted conveyor 7 b to a vacuum belt 7 c which transfers the product to a heat tunnel or section 30. The speed of conveyor 7 a can be controlled by a variable speed servomotor M1 to run slightly faster than the speed of conveyor 7. The purpose of conveyor 7 a is to work with conveyor 7 (via speed and timing) to eliminate empty flights that may have occurred on conveyor 7. Flighted conveyor 7 b can also be controlled by a variable speed servomotor M2. The purpose of conveyor 7 b is to work with conveyor 7 a and reduce empty flights. Orders approaching conveyor 7 b are not uniformally spaced since orders can be of different lengths (pano vs 135) but in the same length flight. This allows control of the speed enough to account for empty flights being fed from the conveyor 7. After waiting for a predetermined amount of time, conveyor 7 b will stop, and wait for the next order. Conveyor 7 c can also be controlled by a variable speed servomotor M3. In order to control any gap between orders, conveyor 7 b will “push” the order stack, for example, into the shrink film “tube” at section 30 while transferring to conveyor 7 c which takes the order through the sealing unit in section 30. The speed of conveyor 7 c can also be controlled by variable speed servo motor M3 to control the ratio of the speed of conveyor 7 b to the speed of the order, which allows the system to maintain a constant distance between orders through the sealing unit in section 30.

[0065] Thereafter, a message is sent to CPU 9 to confirm that the enclosing, bagging, wrapping and/or pricing is complete (step 404), and the enclosed, bagged and/or shrinked wrapped assembled product group or stack of products or components is handed off to a take away conveyor where it is prepared for delivery to the customer. As a further option, an order group or stack having a defect such as a scratched print can be diverted to a minilab as previously described so as to be redone.

[0066] Although FIGS. 4A-4B and 5-7 illustrate a preferred workflow process, it is noted that the workflow process of the present invention is not limited to that shown, and that areas of the workflow can be varied depending on the products or components that are assembled, and the facilities available at the photofinishing station. It is further noted that although a straight line arrangement is illustrated at FIG. 2, the present invention is not limited thereto. Conveyor 7 can be U-shaped or can include a variety of curves in accordance with the location in which the photofinishing station is to be placed. Also, conveyors 17 a-17 i can be placed at various locations and at various angles with respect to second conveyor 7 so long as the components are handed off to second conveyor 7. Further, although conveyors 17 a-17 i have been described with reference to receiving dispensed photofinishing components, and conveyor 7 has been described with reference to receiving dispensed retail and general components, the present invention is not limited thereto. It is recognized that retail and general components can be dispensed at different points along any of conveyor 7 and conveyors 17 a-17 j; while photofinishing components can be dispensed at different points along any of conveyors 17 a-17 j and conveyor 7.

[0067] The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of assembling a photofinishing customer order having at least one component for subsequent distribution to a customer, the method comprising the steps of: associating a customer order identification with said customer order; automatically dispensing at least one first type of component onto a first conveyor based on the customer order identification so as to form an order group which includes said at least one first type of component; conveying said order group from said first conveyor to a second conveyor; automatically dispensing at least one second type of component into said order group on said second conveyor to create an assembled product group; and shrink wrapping the assembled product group.
 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one first type of component includes at least one of an order bag, an APS package, negatives, an index card, individual prints, and digital products.
 3. A method according to claim 2, wherein said digital products include at least one of a photo CD or a floppy disk.
 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one second type of component includes at least one of wallet and promotional inserts, coupons, an on-line upload card, and a backing card.
 5. A method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one first type of component includes at least one of wallet and promotional inserts, coupons, an online upload card and a backing card.
 6. A method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one second type of component includes at least one of an APS package, negatives, an index card, individual prints, and digital products.
 7. A method according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of said first type of components, wherein said step of automatically dispensing the at least one first type of component onto the first conveyor comprises automatically dispensing each of the plurality of first type of components onto said first conveyor at different points along a longitudinal direction of said first conveyor.
 8. A method according to claim 1, wherein said step of automatically dispensing the at least one first type of component onto said first conveyor comprises: dispensing an order bag on said first conveyor to start said order group; dispensing an APS package into said order group, said APS package being dispensed on top of the order bag already on said first conveyor, said APS package comprising at least an index card and an APS cartridge containing negatives; and dispensing cut and banded prints into said order group, said cut and banded prints being dispensed on top of the APS package.
 9. A method according to claim 8, wherein said step of dispensing the at least one first type of component onto said first conveyor further comprises: dispensing at least one of a floppy disk or a photo CD on top of said cut and banded prints.
 10. A method according to claim 9, wherein said step of automatically dispensing said at least one second type of component comprises: dispensing at least one of promotional and wallet inserts, coupons and an upload card on top of an uppermost one of a floppy disk or a photo CD in said order group; and dispensing a backing card on top of an uppermost one of promotional and wallet inserts, coupons or an upload card in said order group to form said assembled product group.
 11. A method according to claim 1, further comprising: heat sealing said shrinked wrapped assembled product group by conveying said assembled product group through a heat tunnel.
 12. A method of assembling a photofinishing customer order, the method comprising the step of: dispensing at least one of photofinishing products, retail products or general products in accordance with a customer order, onto a conveyor at different points along a direction of travel of the conveyor, the products being dispensed one on top of the other to form a stack of the products on the conveyor.
 13. A method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of: shrink wrapping the stack of products.
 14. A method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of: inserting the stack of products into a product bag.
 15. A photofinishing assembling system comprising: at least one first conveyor for conveying photofinishing components pertaining to a customer order, a first dispensing system for dispensing the photofinishing components onto the first conveyor in a manner in which an order group of the photofinishing components is formed on the first conveyor; a second conveyor adapted to receive the order group of photofinishing components from the first conveyor; and a second dispensing system for dispensing at least one of retail components or general components into said order group on the second conveyor to create an assembled product group which includes at least one of said photofinishing components, said retail components and said general components.
 16. An assembly system according to claim 15, further comprising: a shrink wrapper for shrink wrapping the assembled product group in a shrinked web.
 17. An assembling system according to claim 15, further comprising: an enclosing unit for enclosing the assembled product group in an enclosure.
 18. An assembling system according to claim 15, wherein said photofinishing components include at least one of an order bag, an APS cartridge, negatives, an index card, individual prints, and digital components.
 19. An assembling system according to claim 20, wherein said digital components include at least one of a photo CD or a floppy disk.
 20. An assembling system according to claim 15, wherein said retail or general components include at least one of wallet and promotional inserts, coupons, an on-line upload card, and a backing card.
 21. An assembling system according to claim 15, wherein said photofinishing components comprises an order bag, and an APS package; and said first dispensing system comprises: an order bag dispenser for dispensing an order bag onto the first conveyor; an APS dispenser for dispensing an APS package including an APS cartridge having negatives and an index card onto the first conveyor on top of the order bag to start said order group; and a print dispenser adapted to dispense banded prints on top of the APS package in the order group.
 22. An assembling system according to claim 21, wherein said retail or general components comprise at least one of promotional inserts, wallet inserts, coupons, an up-load card, a floppy disk, a photo CD, and a backing card; and said second dispensing system comprises: an insert dispensing system for dispensing at least one of a promotional insert, a wallet insert, or a coupon into said order group at a first location of said second conveyor; a digital component dispenser for dispensing at least one of a photo-CD or a floppy disk into said order group at a second location of said second conveyor downstream of said first location with respect to a direction of travel of said order group; an upload card dispenser for dispensing an upload card into said order group at a third location of said second conveyor downstream of said second location with respect to the direction of travel of said order group; and a backing card dispenser for dispensing a backing card into said order group at a fourth location of said second conveyor downstream of said third location with respect to the direction of travel of said order group.
 23. A photofinishing assembling system comprising: a conveying system adapted to convey products pertaining to a photofinishing customer order; and a dispensing system adapted to dispense the products onto the conveying system at different points along a direction of travel of the conveying system, the products being dispensed one on top of the other to form an assembled stack of products on the conveying system.
 24. An assembling system according to claim 23, wherein said products comprise at least one of a photofinishing product, a retail product or a general product.
 25. An assembling system according to claim 23, further comprising: a shrink wrapper for shrink wrapping the assembled stack in a shrinked web.
 26. An assembling system according to claim 23, further comprising: an enclosing unit for enclosing the assembled stack in an enclosure.
 27. A method of assembling products associated with a photofinishing customer order, the method comprising the steps of: placing product dispensers dedicated to a specific type of product along a conveying system, such that an order in which the products dispensers are placed establishes a sequence for dispensing the products onto the conveying system; and dispensing said products onto said conveying system in accordance with said customer order and in the sequence established by the placement of said product dispensers.
 28. A method according to claim 27, wherein said dispensing step further comprises: dispensing said products onto said conveying system to form an order group of said products pertaining to said customer order.
 29. A method according to claim 27, wherein said products are at least one of photofinishing products, retail products or general products.
 30. A method according to claim 28, wherein said order group defines a stack of said products.
 31. A method according to claim 28, further comprising: shrink wrapping the order group in a shrinked web.
 32. A method according to claim 28, further comprising: inserting the order group in an enclosure.
 33. A computer program product, comprising a computer readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon which when loaded into the computer causes the computer to control an assembling of a photofinishing customer order having at least one component by performing the steps of: associating a customer order identification with said customer order; dispensing at least one first type of component onto a first conveyor based on the customer order identification so as to form an order group which includes said at least one first type of component; conveying said order group from said first conveyor to a second conveyor; and dispensing at least one second type of component into said order group on said second conveyor to create an assembled product group.
 34. A computer program product according to claim 33, further comprising the step of: shrink wrapping the assembled product group.
 35. A computer program product according to claim 33, further comprising the step of: enclosing the assembled product group in an enclosure.
 36. A computer program product, comprising a computer readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon which when loaded into the computer causes the computer to control the assembling of a photofinishing customer order by performing the steps of: associating a customer order identification with said customer order; and dispensing at least one of photofinishing products, retail products or general products onto a conveyor at different points along a direction of travel of the conveyor, the products being dispensed one on top of the other to form a stack of the products on the conveyor.
 37. A computer program product according to claim 36, further comprising the step of: shrink wrapping the stack of products.
 38. A computer program product according to claim 36, further comprising the step of: inserting the stack of products in an enclosure.
 39. A computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon which when loaded into the computer causes the computer to assemble a photofinishing customer order by performing the steps of: associating a customer order identification with said customer order; and automatically dispensing at least one of a photofinishing product, a retail product and a general product onto said conveying system in accordance with said customer order and a sequence defined by product dispensers which are laid out along the conveying system.
 40. A photofinishing assembling system comprising: at least one first conveyor for conveying first components pertaining to a customer order; a plurality of first dispensers for dispensing the first components onto the first conveyor in a manner in which an order group of the first components is formed on the first conveyor; a second conveyor adapted to receive the order group of photofinishing components from the first conveyor; and a plurality of second component dispensers for dispensing second components into said order group on the second conveyor to create an assembled product group which includes said first components and said second components.
 41. A photofinishing assembling system according to claim 40, further comprising: a shrink wrapper for shrink wrapping the assembled product group in a shrinked web.
 42. A photofinishing assembling system according to claim 40, further comprising: an enclosing unit for enclosing the assembled product group in an enclosure.
 43. A photofinishing assembly system according to claim 40, wherein: each one of said plurality of first dispensers is designed to dispense a specific type of first component in the form of a photofinishing component, a retail component or a general product onto said first conveyor; and each of said plurality of second dispensers is designed to dispense a specific type of second component in the form of a photofinishing component, a retail component or a general component onto said second conveyor.
 44. A method of assembling a photofinishing customer order having at least one photofinishing component, one retail component and one general component for subsequent distribution to a customer, the method comprising the steps of: associating a customer order identification with said customer order; dispensing the at least one photofinishing component onto said first conveyor based on the customer order identification so as to form an order group which includes said at least one photofinishing component; conveying said order group from said first conveyor to a second conveyor; dispensing at least one retail component or general component into said order group on said second conveyor to create an assembled product group; and inserting the assembled product group into an enclosure. 